Is it possible to get a metal top cover? I just don't like the idea of having plastic enclosures where it can potentially be over 60c.

Also, any idea when it will go for sale in the US?

The motherboard is shielded away from the top by two layers, one is that of the hard disk / optical drive, and then, on top of that is a full metal shield. I don't think that will be much of an issue (I see that the Zino 410 which has a higher powerdraw is all plastic -- so this is at least 1 step better).

I will let you know about US availability as soon as the PR guys over at ASRock tell us.

Jakmal, can you tell me what kind of temperatures u are seeing on the hard drives? CAn It mount a second hard drive in a raid format?

When I was writing data to the hard drive for more than 1 hour from the USB 3 port (close to 100 MB/s write rate), the hard drive reached 55 C.

As for second hard drive, I would not advise installing one even though there is a spare SATA port and SATA cables provided. There is not enough spacing in the drive chassis (See AnandTech review linked on a previous page for the pictures).

jakmal, would you buy an Asrock Vision 3d or a Zino HD 410? in therm of performance mainly.

Idle power of Vision 3D is less than idle power of Zino 410.
Full load power of Vision 3D is more than full load power of Zino 410.

Heat to be dissipated is proportional to the power consumed. Both thermal solutions are capable enough to cool down the respective units. So, a purchase would depend on the intended usage model. If you are going to keep your unit 'idle' (say downloading stuff overnight and other such activities) most of the time, the Vision 3D is a better, albeit costlier / overkill, choice.

Yes Just reached US shores also US ordering on Newegg should be up by next week.

They had a problem in the factory, and that is why the shipments had to be delayed. It is all sorted out now.

I expected something like this, delivery took too long. The DVD version (659 euro-$925) is now hitting the market, but delivery of the Blueray version (749 euro-$1052) is stalled to december. We only can order the I3 version.

I expected something like this, delivery took too long. The DVD version (659 euro-$925) is now hitting the market, but delivery of the Blueray version (749 euro-$1052) is stalled to december. We only can order the I3 version.

Today I ordered the Asrock Vision 3D, i3-370M, GT425M, Blu-ray. Tomorrow it will be available. Major playtime!!!!

Today I ordered the Asrock Vision 3D, i3-370M, GT425M, Blu-ray. Tomorrow it will be available. Major playtime!!!!

So, this thing has been the always-on HTPC for me since I got it.

One advice to everyone using it in the same manner (running downloads in the background all day long etc. or just browsing casually) is to use the ASRock OC Tuner to set it to run at a lower frequency (I am using bus freq of 134 MHz with multiplier of 10). SpeedStep also works but this way you are much more sure of what it is maxing out at

One advice to everyone using it in the same manner (running downloads in the background all day long etc. or just browsing casually) is to use the ASRock OC Tuner to set it to run at a lower frequency (I am using bus freq of 134 MHz with multiplier of 10). SpeedStep also works but this way you are much more sure of what it is maxing out at

have you tried mkv and streaming dts ma or dd hd ?

I've read your review several times, but after the extended use, do you think is the best htpc out there for 3D ?

I've read your review several times, but after the extended use, do you think is the best htpc out there for 3D ?

Works great with bitstreaming with ffdshow tryouts and MPC-HC for MKVs. You have the silent stream 'bug' which is not an issue if you don't switch files in your playlist every minute or so. This is a nVidia issue, but I don't think it is very serious unless you have lots of media which are all of short length.

I don't personally believe in 3D (the only access to 3D TVs I have is not at home), so this HTPC was just tested for the basics of 3D stuff at review time. After that, it has just been functioning as a regular 2D HTPC This is absolutely the best high end pre-built HTPC you can get at the moment. If you are building one yourself, and don't care about 3D, use a Clarkdale with a ATI 5570 (try to get a passively cooled model).

I want the best HTPC and with 3D because I have a 3D UN46C8000 from samsung, I care for 2D and 3D and I want to take advantage of both.

do you use any specific software like boxee for the media?

is the remote any good to enjoy the experience or do you recommend any other form of input ?

I was think about using the vision 3d with boxee and an ipod touch as remote for the tv the receiver and the htpc

I don't use any specific frontend like XBMC or Boxee usually, but I did try out XBMC for the review and the whole experience was smooth with the remote.

The remote build quality is good (and it is exactly the same remote that Dell bundles with the Zino 410 too!), but given the choice, I would go with something like the hand-held keyboard / trackball combo from Lenovo. (I use a wireless keyboard and mouse right now, but that is because I have 3 - 4 PCs lying clustered around in the living room and it is easier to change control from one PC to the other).

my last question and sorry to be such a pita, I live in Panama and I have cable TV with a STB all the channels are codified so you need the box to be able to look at them is there any way to connect that to the HTPC and make it a DVR ?

My wild guess is you connect the out put source from de STB to the video IN of the HTPC and from I'm lost

my last question and sorry to be such a pita, I live in Panama and I have cable TV with a STB all the channels are codified so you need the box to be able to look at them is there any way to connect that to the HTPC and make it a DVR ?

My wild guess is you connect the out put source from de STB to the video IN of the HTPC and from I'm lost

The component out of the STB can be connected to the HD-PVR. The HD-PVR is connected over USB 2.0 to the HTPC. The HD-PVR records whatever is currently being output by the STB and streams it over USB 2.0 to the PC. The hard disk of the PC will hold the recording.

I have NOT personally used the HD-PVR, so can't give the 'personal recommendation' stamp to it. However, the product has been around for 2 - 3 years now. You can easily Google it and find more information / feedback about this product.

I don't personally believe in 3D (the only access to 3D TVs I have is not at home), so this HTPC was just tested for the basics of 3D stuff at review time.

3D rocks Only problem right now is content, but that is starting to sort itself out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakmal

The component out of the STB can be connected to the HD-PVR. The HD-PVR is connected over USB 2.0 to the HTPC. The HD-PVR records whatever is currently being output by the STB and streams it over USB 2.0 to the PC. The hard disk of the PC will hold the recording.

I have NOT personally used the HD-PVR, so can't give the 'personal recommendation' stamp to it. However, the product has been around for 2 - 3 years now. You can easily Google it and find more information / feedback about this product.

I've used a HD PVR for about 2yrs. It's not perfect; but being the only option to record HD with DD the device's failings are minor in comparison to its upside.